Cheap block

[emr]

Anyone use one of these?

http://karlkuemmerling.com/store/product578.html

Made in China? I am kind of looking for another block or two for the odd jobs when it would be nice to have more than the two that we currently have. We have a nice ISC spring block as well as a cheap, but good quality, CMI block.

If we got one or two of the KK blocks they would mostly get used above the GRCS as a fair lead or as a redirect. Regardless, I still want a block that I can trust if we need it for blocking down wood.

 

[NeTree]

If it were aluminum I'd have reservations, but being steel and of a common design... I wouldn't worry about it, structurally.


Of course... being made in China, it's doing nothing to keep Americans at work, either.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Say NO to rigging gear from China.

 

[emr]

I am not sure if it is made in China. I was asking. If it is, then it's a deal breaker for me. No climbing or rigging gear made in China what so ever.

 

[bonner1040]

No to china for sure, but Karl Kuemmerling is based out of ohio here and i have one of his beeline prussicks and it is a wellmade product for sure. i have called once and spoken to them about a question i had and they were knowledgable and nice. They actually told me that they couldnt make what i needed and referred me somewhere else...

 

[rangerdanger]

Eh, I wouldn't waste your money man. Breaking strength, unless I read it wrong, is listed at 5000lbs, working load of 1000lbs. If this is true, you're better off with a small CMI micro pulley with an 8000lb BS. If you're looking for a cheap block, I'd just buy another CMI. Nothing wrong with those, and you know it to be a solid all around block, so why take the gamble is the way I see it.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

For a fair lead or redirect (If I understand your thinking).... I use this...

From CMI for up to 5/8ths
Good price an look at the rating.

http://wesspur.com/Pulleys/five-eigths-pulleys.html

 

[thattreeguy]

I am not sure if it is made in China. I was asking. If it is, then it's a deal breaker for me. No climbing or rigging gear made in China what so ever.

then look carefully at climb rite's products, i dont think its all from the good ol usa

the blocks are ok, ive got 2 and i abuse the heck oput of them, of course i like my isc's better..they both work

 

[woodworkingboy]

I think the best thing that you can do is buy made in China. Consider it self sacrifice for a good cause. Then, when when the word gets out better that so much of the goods made there are absolute crap, domestic manufacturing might get a foothold again.

 

[tophopper]

Haha.... what makes it a 2 ton block with a 1/2 ton working load limit?

 

[jefflovstrom@sb]

I think the best thing that you can do is buy made in China. Consider it self sacrifice for a good cause. Then, when when the word gets out better that so much of the goods made there are absolute crap, domestic manufacturing might get a foothold again.

Ah, I get it. Reverse psychology.

 

[treesmith]

Why not go just a few dollars more and get a good one.....http://www.wesspur.com/rigging/arborist-blocks.html. The cheapest CMI steel block is only $89, while the 5/8" stainless is only $104. That one from KK looks, well, like the title of this thread...cheap.

 

[emr]

I guess I am willing to throw in a few more dollars, but if I get two, that's $40 that I could save. If the KK ones are decent, just not super high quality, I am fine with that. If the KK ones are shit from China, well then I am not ok with that. Like Clark Howard says, I will except lesser quality at a lesser price but I will not sacrifice safety.

 

[tophopper]

Call KK and quiz them about the blocks. If the want to make a sale, they'll take the time to humor you. If they dont, oh well.

 

[emr]

Good point.

 

[Bodean]

I have that same block, I think it even came with a cheesey ISA sticker on it.
The one I have looks exactly as yours in the picture, Mine says it's rated for two tons.

I just now replaced the cheesey kmart eye sling with a real samson 3/4.
It's pretty good, I've beaten it up pretty good, just squeaks like crazy sometimes.

 

[emr]

This morning I called KK and they didn't know anything about the blocks except that they purchase them from Northeastern Arborist Supply. So I called them and asked about them. They told me that they have them manufactured buy a local company just for them. They are, in fact, made in the USA.

 

[treesmith]

The work-load rating (or lack thereof) would scare me away from it. CMI's small (5/8") stainless block has a breaking strength of 28,000#, with a workload of 2800# @ 10:1 safety factor. Even the cheaper steel CMI has 25,000#/2500# ratings. I've got several aluminum pulleys with 7000+# break strength, which leaves me wondering if the specs weren't misprinted on KK's website, or if the block just isn't made very well.

 

[emr]

Check this out! This one doesnt matter to me one bit where it was made.

http://www.sawhouse.com/product_p/ds 4043.htm

 

[CurSedVoyce]

The zirk fitting is cool, so long as the grease does not get on the ropes.

 

[High Scale]

Hey nothing wrong with stuff made in Asia.

http://www.kingsnaps.net/index_down.php

 

[tophopper]

If you live in Asia no, there isnt.

If you live in the US, spend your money in the US. And I dont mean at Walmart.

 

[emr]

Funny how Walmart used to be all about "Made in America " and nothing there is made in America. Too bad.

 

[tophopper]

The downfall of our nation...........

 

[stig]

The downfall of ANY western nation.